"The Nutcracker": Nov. 30 7 p.m., Dec. 1, 2 p.m., Mountain Heritage High School, 333 Mountain Heritage High School Road, Burnsville. By the High Country Youth Ballet. Tickets available by cash or check at Toe River Arts Council offices in Spruce Pine and Burnsville or by calling Stephanie Warren at 467-1887. Tickets will also be available at the door. $15, $10 students, free age 5 and younger.

"The Best Christmas Pageant Ever": To Dec. 8, Asheville Community Theatre, 35 E. Walnut St. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2:30 p.m. Sunday. A couple struggling to put on a church Christmas pageant is faced with casting the Herdman kids, six delinquent siblings who smoke, kick, punch, and steal. No performance Nov. 29. $22, $19 students/seniors age 65+, $12 age 17 and younger. 254-1320.

"The Christmas That Almost Wasn't": Nov. 29, 10:30 a.m., Burnsville Town Center, 6 S. Main St. Staged reading by Read It & Weep Repertory Theatre. $5, $1 age 16 and younger. Contact Lucy Doll at 682-7209.

"A Variety Show: Hometown Christmas-Celebrating the Miracle of the Season": Dec. 8, 3 p.m., Tuscola High School, 564 Tuscola School Road, Waynesville. This variety show will have you singing, dancing, laughing and pondering the real Spirit of the season. Free. 452-1433.

"Jacob Marley's Christmas Carol": Dec. 11-29, 7:30 p.m. Wednesday-Saturday, North Carolina Stage Company, 15 Stage Lane, Asheville. We know what happens to Scrooge but what about his old business partner Marley? $16-$28. 239-0263 or www.ncstage.org.